A Word from the Pastor

I had no idea there was such a thing as "National Make-a-W ill Month" but when I opened my Episcopal Church Foundation newsletter this morning, they assured me that it's true. End of life is not somet hing any of us enjoy thinking about - let alone talking about. However, I  can tell you that when individuals do spend the time making end of life plans it can offer a great relief to loved ones when death draws near to know what a grandparent, parent or spouse's last wishes are.

Episcopal Church Foundation has a number of resources available to help you in making end of life plans. There is a Planning for the End of Life guide which includes a number of sample forms (e.g., medical directives, organ donation, healthcare proxy, funeral and burial instructions, and sample language for bequests to your church to include in your will). You can download the guide here. For those who prefer, Episcopal Church Foundation also offers a webinar on the same topic. 

I am available to meet with you to talk about your end of life plans. I have St. Mark's specific funeral planning forms to guide our conversation and am also more than happy to take a walk with you out to St. Mark's Memorial Garden where many of our members choose to have their ashes interred. End of life conversations can be difficult but, they are important and, more than that, they are of God. For God created us and entreats us to care for all of creation - for ourselves and for generations to come.

Faithfully Yours,
Pastor Debra+
Worship & Formation
Bible in the Backyard
Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. 
Rectory Backyard (Rain Location: St. Mark's).

Come and continue to be shaped by the stories that have been part of our faith for centuries! A continuation of our Lectionary at the Lakefront through the month of August, meeting in the Pastor's backyard! Here we will read the following Sunday's readings together.

Lakefront Worship Service
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. at Hamilton St. and the Lake.
(Rain Location: St. Mark's)

It's summertime at St. Mark's and our 9:30 a.m. service is at the lakefront! Bring a lawn chair, a blanket and come on down! The 8 a.m. service will continue to be held each Sunday in the Lady Chapel all summer. 

S taying Connected
Jubi-latte & Tea Deum
Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Cupitol

Coffee-with-the-Rector takes place each Wednesday afternoon at Cupitol. Stop on by to chat!

New Office Hours
We will be adjusting our office hours this fall! Here are the new hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
To find out more of what's going on this week at St. Mark's check out our full Calendar of Events!
Social Justice & Outreach
St. Mark's is committed to working with God to create a better community and a better world. God is at work in our world and St. Mark's parishioners seek opportunities to join God's mission in their daily lives - at school, at home, at work and through a variety of social justice and outreach initiatives. Following are just some of the ways in which St. Mark's is involved in the community in helping to create a better world.
SJOM Wish List!
The Hospitality Center needs these things! Below is the list of items along with suggested sources sent by Sue Murphy, executive director. A red bucket has been placed in the parlor to collect items; please drop the items in at your convenience. Thanks, we appreciate your generosity!
  • Umbrellas 
  • Lip balm (ChapStick, etc.)    
  • Deodorant     
  • Readers - the stronger ones 200 and up - dollar store           
  • Ear buds - dollar store
COPE Backpack & School Supply Drive
August 22-23, 4-8 p.m.
August 24, 3-7 p.m., and August 25, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Once again St. Mark's is teaming up with COPE (Caring Outreach by Parents in Evanston) to sort and distribute school supplies and new backpacks to Evanston school children. Last year more than 1000 students were served through the doors of St. Mark's! 

How can you still help? Volunteers are needed to help sort and/or distribute supplies and bags. Sorting will take place at St. Mark's on Wed., Aug. 22 or Thur., Aug. 23 from 4 - 8 p.m. and distribution will take place at St. Mark's on Fri., Aug. 24 (3 - 7 p.m.) and Sat., Aug. 25 (9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.). 
Sign up here!

Thank you to all who contributed to the Rector's 25 x 20 Challenge. St. Mark's contributed a total of  $1015 to COPE. This is enough to purchase school supply kits for 22 Evanston school children!
Midweek Lunch: Come Join Us!

Each week, volunteers from St. Mark's and St. Matthew's work together to prepare and serve meals for our neighbors who struggle with hunger and homelessness. On Tuesdays from 6:00-6:30 p.m. volunteers prepare sandwiches. On  Wednesdays, volunteers gather in Cunningham Hall from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to set out food and beverages, serve the meal and talk with our guests. Contact John for more information !
Fall Into Place

Many adults need help with basic English reading, writing, or speaking skills. Fall into place! Call Oakton Community College at 847-635-1426. Required four part training dates: September 6, 11, 22, & October 6.
Elsewhere in the Diocese
18th Annual Episcopal Men's Pre-Lenten Retreat

Rev. Christopher Powell of Christ Church, Winnetka will be leading a retreat themed: LETTING FAITH FIND YOU this coming February. Find more info HERE and posted on the St. Mark's Bulletin Board. Register by printing out and completing THIS FORM.
Texts for the Weeks Ahead

Lay Ministers
Sunday, Aug. 26
Eucharistic Ministers:
Lector:
Lay Eucharistic Visitor:
Altar Guild:
Flower Arrangements:
Ushers:
Coffee Hour Hosts:
Vestry Person of the Day:

Alice & Vince Pappas, Eva Sondgeroth, Milner Seifert
John (8 a.m.), Vince Pappas (9:30 a.m.)

Julia Ferguson, Trish Barr
Virginia Beatty
John Fitts, Dave Himrod
Julia Ferguson
Julia Ferguson, Luke Urbanowski
Sunday, Sept. 2
Eucharistic Ministers:

Lector:
Lay Eucharistic Visitor:
Altar Guild:
Flower Arrangements:
Ushers:
Coffee Hour Hosts:
Vestry Person of the Day:

Andrea Nowack (8 a.m.), Dorothy Szczepaniak, Lynette Murphy (9:30 a.m.)
Lynette Murphy
Allison Ashley
Beth Johnson, Dorothy Laudati
Dale Seifert
Marion Macbeth, Deane Johnson, Rich Forst

Luke Urbanowski

Birthdays & Anniversaries
Prayer List
The eLion Newsletter is published on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
Publication Deadlines:
Sunday Bulletin Announcements: Tuesday
Wednesday Lion:  5 days prior (Friday)

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